The Toronto Blue Jays ended their losing streak Friday night. Now the visiting Chicago White Sox will try to stop their string of losses as the three-game series continues Saturday afternoon.
The Blue Jays, who have had trouble scoring in the first three innings of games all season, got a three-run homer from Randal Grichuk in the first inning Friday and a solo shot from Teoscar Hernandez in the second.
They went on to defeat the White Sox 4-3 to end a five-game losing streak. Chicago has lost three straight.
It was the first time the Blue Jays have scored three first-inning runs this season. Their previous high was two runs, accomplished twice.
The White Sox are scheduled to start right-hander Ivan Nova (1-3, 7.04 ERA) Saturday while the Blue Jays are set to go with right-hander Marcus Stroman (1-5, 2.96).
“We swung the bat well, even the last out I thought (Charlie) Tilson (a flyout to the wall in center) drove the ball very, very well,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “I thought we had some good at-bats. We gave ourselves a chance to come back, we’ve just got to keep playing and allow everybody to do what they’re doing.
“If we play good defense and the pitching holds its own, I mean it’s no secret, it’s cliche, but good pitching, some timely hitting and defense is the formula.”
Nova is scheduled to make his eighth start of the season and his sixth on the road, where his ERA is 5.34 compared to 13.50 at home. He earned his first win with the White Sox in his last start Monday at Cleveland, allowing the Indians one run on eight hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out five.
He is 5-7 with a 5.66 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 17 career games (15 starts) against the Blue Jays. He has a 2-4 record with a 5.27 ERA and 35 strikeouts in nine career games (seven starts) at the Rogers Centre.
Stroman, who will make his ninth start of the season, won his only start against the White Sox last season, allowing seven hits, one walk and two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out three. He is 2-3 with a 5.45 ERA in seven career starts against the White Sox.
Stroman is coming off his worst outing of the season Monday when he allowed eight hits, two walks and six runs (five earned) in 4 2/3 innings in an 8-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
The Blue Jays had a busy day of transactions before the game started. Clay Buchholz, who was scheduled to start Friday, was put on the injured list with a sore shoulder.
That meant reliever Daniel Hudson was used as an opener and allowed two hits and one run in his one inning. Joe Biagini, who pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings was given the win.
The Blue Jays also designated outfielder Socrates Brito for assignment and recalled outfielder Jonathan Davis from Triple-A Buffalo. Left-hander Thomas Pannone, who was to have been optioned to Buffalo, remained with Toronto and right-hander Javy Guerra had his contract selected from Buffalo.
“I don’t want to use an opener if we don’t have to,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “That (would mean) five starters are doing good, but we’re not there now. So we need to be creative. That’s why we’re doing that (Friday). It could go either way. It could be (a starter) from Buffalo. We’re just going to go day to day.”